About this book

Language: English

In 2013 Colombia became the first country to reach a landmark 1900 species of birds – almost 20% of the entire world's avian diversity. Every year the figure increases.

With this book, the authors have tried to strip away some of the complexity of Colombia's unparalleled diversity to make a simple, fun and easy tool that anyone can drop in their daypack and use in the field. Moreover, they believe the broad appeal of a concise and simple format welcomes more newcomers to the fold and these are the birders and conservationists of tomorrow. All birds are illustrated, including confusing subspecies and many unrecorded species which may soon be discovered around Colombia's borders. A single cell brings together all the information for each species: illustrations, maps, text, fieldnotes, notes on voice, endemism and threat status.

All the publisher's profits from this book go towards the conservation of threatened birds in Colombia.

The second edition has expanded from 250 to 391 pages with 1300 species being repainted while an additional 50 new species have been added that are newly recorded in Colombia from just the past four years. The new guide also includes notes on where to find birds in Colombia and also several pages dedicated to mammals.

"This is the second edition of the acclaimed Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia, the only book that not only illustrates all the species that occur in this most bird-species-rich country in the world, but in a format that is genuinely a ‘field’ guide (indeed that could unashamedly use the epithet ‘pocket guide’) since it is light enough and small enough to fit into a large jacket pocket. This edition is larger, partly to accommodate even more species (there are 50 additions to the Colombia list) which means the book now covers a staggering 1 900 species (i.e. almost 20% of the world's total) and also because fewer species now occupy each page. The average of about six species per page (including illustrations, text and map) puts the Guide on a par with many of the best around the world. This has meant that the book has become a bit bigger in page count and weight, but at 600 g it still is easily carried into the field. [...] The second edition also includes several new features. These include page-long descriptions of three of the top birding areas: the Santa Marta region, the Central and Western Andes of Antioquia and the Magdalena valley and Eastern Andes. All these areas are well endowed with a network of bird reserves and birding lodges and helpfully guidance is given on recommended length of stay to bird there, as well as other logistics. Concluding the non-passerine section are four plates depicting some of the mammals of Colombia. No one planning a visit to Colombia should dream of travelling there without this book. Indeed, I urge owners of the first edition to buy this one as well. [...]"- Martin Kelsey, Ibis 157(2), April 2015

"[...] Although slightly larger than the first edition, this field guide miraculously fits into a large coat pocket, or easily into any bag, and it will be an invaluable companion on any birding trip to Colombia. Once again, the authors, as well as ProAves, have produced an outstanding piece of work, and all profits from its sale will go towards conservation of the many threatened birds illustrated in the book. If you are a birder visiting Colombia you have to take Field Guide to the Birds of Colombia, Second Edition!"- Grant McCreary (07-12-2014) read the full review at The Birder's Library